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Edited on Fri Nov-02-07 08:58 PM by journalist3072
Here's the email I just sent to Diane Feinstein a minute ago. Going to send one to Schumer too.
Sen. Feinstein:
I am writing to express my deep sorrow, in your announcement today that you will vote next week in favor of sending Judge Mukasey's nomination from the Senate Judiciary Committee, to the full Senate for a vote.
Today, you said "First and foremost, Michael Mukasey is not Alberto Gonzales."
With all due respect Senator, the fact that Michael Mukasey is not Alberto Gonzales, is not enough to confirm him to be our nation's top law enforcement official.
Sen. Feinstein, I believe that any individual seeking to become the Attorney General of the United States, MUST unequivocally have the ability to call torture by its name, and say outright 'these are not part of our American values.'
And I don't need to remind you, Senator, that Michael Mukasey has not demonstrated that ability.
I am also reminded of something that former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan wrote in his most recent book. Regarding the Republican's defeat in last year's midterm election, Chairman Greenspan wrote that Congressional Republicans "swapped principle for power. They ended up with neither."
Senator, I'm afraid that those very words might now also apply to Congressional Democrats. What is it, Sen. Feinstein, that the Democratic Party stands for today? What principles does it hold dear, and is not willing to compromise on? Are the Democrats so obsessed with not being called obstructionists, that they are willing to confirm a man who will not say whether waterboarding is torture? Are the Democrats afraid that if they do not confirm Judge Mukasey and a terrorist attack happens on our soil, they will be blamed?
It is time, Sen. Feinstein, for every member of the Senate Judiciary Committee to stand on principle. This is a time when elections and poll numbers do not matter. Principle matters. Being within the mainstream of American jurisprudence matters. And above all, the ability to call torture by its name matters.
Lastly, I will leave you with this thought: If we as Americans cannot call torture by it's name, American citizens (and most importantly our armed forces overseas) are more at risk for torture themselves.
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